DayTrip
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- May 13, 2013
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I've become absolutely hooked on bivy camping the past few years and want to "beef up" my set up to be more durable on rough ground and be comfortable in lower temperatures (like down to maybe 10 deg F at worst). I've been using my OR Gore Tex bivy but it was really intended for emergency use and is pretty cramped inside. It only zips through the top too so it is quite awkward to get inside and slide down in it with a z-fold, quilt, etc. without everything getting bunched up. Then you have to toss and turn and yank on stuff to adjust, all while generally on rough ground (generally bare rock or rocks and gravel). I've endured some pretty awesome nights in it but I need to up the comfort and convenience factor.
So I want to start using my Sierra Designs bivy because it zips to the waist on both sides and has a screen window in the face. It is roomier but much thinner than the burly Gore Tex of the OR bivy. The whole bag is the same thickness and material. The traditional z-fold pad slides around because it is smaller than the bag dimensions and in a bivy is quite annoying bunching up and closing on itself. So I'm looking for a material to make a "floor" out of in the exact shape of the bag so there aren't "dead areas" exposed to the ground and more importantly my inflatable pad. I thought it would be pretty easy to find a roll of foam to use but that has proven not to be the case. I wanted a 36in width product (the maximum width of my bag) and at least 90 inches long (for the length). Seems like 25 in is the maximum width for such things and 72 in for a length.
Anyone have thoughts on a floor material that would make sense for this application? Main goal is fully covering the entire floor for puncture protection and some modest padding, not insulative value. Everything I've come across so far is either not available in the dimensions I need, would absorb water and/or is far too heavy to be practical. For any tinkerers out there with some ideas let me know. Thanks in advance.
So I want to start using my Sierra Designs bivy because it zips to the waist on both sides and has a screen window in the face. It is roomier but much thinner than the burly Gore Tex of the OR bivy. The whole bag is the same thickness and material. The traditional z-fold pad slides around because it is smaller than the bag dimensions and in a bivy is quite annoying bunching up and closing on itself. So I'm looking for a material to make a "floor" out of in the exact shape of the bag so there aren't "dead areas" exposed to the ground and more importantly my inflatable pad. I thought it would be pretty easy to find a roll of foam to use but that has proven not to be the case. I wanted a 36in width product (the maximum width of my bag) and at least 90 inches long (for the length). Seems like 25 in is the maximum width for such things and 72 in for a length.
Anyone have thoughts on a floor material that would make sense for this application? Main goal is fully covering the entire floor for puncture protection and some modest padding, not insulative value. Everything I've come across so far is either not available in the dimensions I need, would absorb water and/or is far too heavy to be practical. For any tinkerers out there with some ideas let me know. Thanks in advance.